JP2014175695A - Content distribution device and content distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution device improved in usability relating to a function to distribute a content via a network.SOLUTION: A content distribution device comprises: a communication unit that distributes a content to a terminal device via a network; and a control unit that performs control so as to switch whether to output a message for requesting permission to stop distribution or to stop distribution without outputting the message in accordance with set priority information when an operation unexecutable during distribution is started during distribution.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution apparatus having a function of distributing content via a network.

  In recent years, recorders (recording / playback apparatuses) having a function of recording a television broadcast and distributing the recorded content to a terminal device such as a television receiver via a home network, a so-called home server function, are increasing ( Patent Document 1).

  By using such a recording / playback device, it is possible to share content recorded by a plurality of terminal devices, and share content recorded by a plurality of users.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of recorded contents distributed and recorded from a predetermined one of a plurality of distribution sources to which a predetermined channel is assigned are recorded in a plurality of information processing apparatuses that control the reproduction thereof. When the playback stop instruction is given while the playback of the first recorded content of the recorded contents is being controlled, the current time in the information processing apparatus at the playback stop instruction timing is instructed to stop. A configuration comprising playback control means for controlling playback of a second recorded content that includes the stop instruction time in a recording time zone as a time from a position corresponding to the stop instruction time. Is disclosed.

JP 2011-71669 A JP 2007-110660 A

  However, such recording / playback apparatuses and information processing apparatuses are limited in the number of terminal devices that can be distributed simultaneously and the types of operations that can be performed simultaneously. For example, the restricted operations include dubbing during recording, recording, reproduction of an optical disc, reproduction of an external recording medium, and the like. And when starting these operations during distribution, distribution must be stopped.

  When stopping distribution, it is common to display a message for confirming whether or not to stop the distribution on the apparatus on the distribution side to prompt the user to select. However, since this message may be displayed many times during distribution, the user using the apparatus on the distribution side is troublesome, and the distribution side may be stopped without knowing the situation of the distribution side. Sometimes it is difficult to judge whether or not.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution apparatus with improved usability regarding a function of distributing content via a network.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a communication unit that distributes content to a terminal device via a network, and an operation that cannot be executed during distribution during distribution according to the set priority information. A content distribution apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls whether to output a message for requesting permission to stop or to stop distribution without outputting the message.

  According to this configuration, the distribution is stopped without outputting the message depending on the setting of the priority information, so that the user on the content distribution apparatus side does not notice that the distribution is stopped and is easy to use. Further, the user on the content distribution apparatus side does not know the situation on the terminal apparatus side, and does not hesitate to determine whether or not to stop the distribution, so that the user can use it easily. Further, depending on the setting of priority information, the message can be output, and the delivery can be prevented from being stopped without permission, which is more convenient.

  Further, in the above configuration, the priority information can set whether the terminal device priority or the content distribution device priority, and the control unit performs the switching according to whether the terminal device priority or the content distribution device priority. It is good.

  Further, the operation that cannot be executed during the delivery may include at least one of an operation of a high processing load and a function setting change. The high processing load operation may include at least one of an optical disc reproduction operation, a dubbing operation, an editing operation, and a recording operation.

  Moreover, the said structure WHEREIN: The said control part is good also as accepting the setting of the said priority information before delivery. According to this configuration, since priority information need not be set during distribution, it is easy to use.

  In the above configuration, the message may include an option for changing the setting of the priority information. According to this configuration, priority information can be switched when a message is output, and this message can be prevented from being output in the future.

  In the above configuration, the control unit may control to output a message to stop the distribution to the terminal device after being permitted in the message and before stopping the distribution. According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user on the terminal device side that the distribution is to be stopped, and when the distribution is stopped, the user can understand that the device is not in failure.

  In the above configuration, the control unit may perform control so that the distribution is resumed after an operation that cannot be performed during the distribution ends. In that case, the distribution may be resumed from the continuation of the previously stopped content. Or, after the operation that cannot be performed during the distribution ends, the control unit restarts the distribution from the last stopped content to the terminal device or restarts the distribution from the beginning of the previously stopped content. Control may be performed to prompt selection.

  According to this configuration, it is not necessary for the user on the terminal device side to check whether the distribution is possible one by one, and the usability is good.

  Further, in the above configuration, a content recording function is provided, and the control unit includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the reproduction of the content to be distributed and the reserved recording overlap when starting the distribution, and the control unit overlaps the determination unit If it is determined, it may be controlled to output a message to the effect that there is a possibility that the distribution may stop midway. According to this configuration, even if the distribution is stopped due to the start of recording during distribution, there is no confusion for the user of the terminal device.

  According to the present invention, depending on the setting of the priority information, the user on the content distribution apparatus side does not notice that the distribution is stopped and is convenient. Further, the user on the content distribution apparatus side does not know the situation on the terminal apparatus side, and does not hesitate to determine whether or not to stop the distribution, so that the user can use it easily. In addition, depending on the priority information setting, it is possible to prevent the distribution from being stopped arbitrarily, which is more convenient.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an HDD-integrated optical disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention and peripheral devices thereof. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the delivery of the HDD integrated optical disk apparatus of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a continuation of FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the OSD screen which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the OSD screen which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the OSD screen which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the OSD screen which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the OSD screen which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding the delivery start which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example by which the several terminal device is connected to the network.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, as an example of the content distribution apparatus of the present invention, a description will be given using a hard disk drive (HDD) integrated optical disk apparatus capable of receiving and recording digital television broadcasts and distributing recorded contents (for example, programs) to a terminal apparatus. To do.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an HDD integrated optical disk device 10 and its peripheral devices. A display device 11 such as a television receiver, a network 12, and an antenna 14 are connected to the HDD integrated optical disk device 10. In the following description, it is assumed that the network 12 is a home LAN (Local Area Network). The HDD integrated optical disk device 10 can be operated by a remote controller 13.

  The HDD integrated optical disk device 10 includes a tuner 16, a video / audio compression / decompression unit 17, an HDD recording / reproducing unit 18, a BD / DVD recording / reproducing unit 19, an OSD unit 20, a video output unit 21, and an audio output unit. 22, a memory 23, a remote control receiving unit 24, a communication unit 25, an external I / F 27, and a control unit 26.

  The tuner 16 demodulates and digitizes the digital television broadcast signal received by the antenna 14. The video / audio compression / decompression unit 17 compresses and encodes the video / audio data received from the tuner 16 in accordance with MPEG2 or the like, or is compressed by the HDD recording / reproducing unit 18 or the BD / DVD recording / reproducing unit 19. Decompress and decode video / audio data.

  The HDD recording / reproducing unit 18 records the compressed video / audio data received from the video / audio compression / decompression unit 17 on the HDD or reproduces the data recorded on the HDD. The BD / DVD recording / reproducing unit 19 records the compressed video / audio data received from the video / audio compression / decompression unit 17 on the inserted DVD or BD, or reproduces the data recorded on the DVD or BD. To do.

  The OSD unit 20 allows various setting values including settings relating to distribution to be set while being displayed on a part of the display device 11. The video output unit 21 analogizes the video signal from the OSD unit 20 and outputs the analog signal to the display device 11. The audio output unit 22 converts the audio signal from the video / audio compression / expansion unit 17 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the display device 11. The memory 23 includes a ROM and a RAM. The remote control receiving unit 24 receives a signal from the remote control 13.

  The communication unit 25 connects to the network 12 and distributes the content stored in the HDD recording / reproducing unit 18 or the BD / DVD recording / reproducing unit 19 to the terminal device (not shown) via the network 12. As the terminal device, a device having a function of communicating with the HDD integrated optical disk device 10 via the network 12 can be used. A plurality of terminal devices may be connected to the network 12.

  The external I / F 27 includes an external input terminal to which an external device is connected. Examples of the external device include a set-top box such as cable television and satellite broadcasting, a recording / playback device such as a video deck, and a recording medium such as a memory stick and a memory card.

  The control unit 26 controls each unit of the HDD integrated optical disc apparatus 10. For example, the control unit 26 starts an operation that cannot be performed during distribution during distribution, and stops distribution from the output unit (the video output unit 21 and / or the audio output unit 22) when priority is set on the terminal device. A message requesting permission to be delivered, and control is made to stop delivery if permitted by the user's operation. On the other hand, if priority is given to the HDD integrated optical disk device, delivery is performed without outputting the message. Control to stop. This control will be described in detail below.

  Note that the operations that cannot be executed during distribution include operations with a high processing load and changes in settings of various functions. Specifically, depending on the specifications of each device, for example, playback of an optical disc, dubbing, editing, recording, playback of an external device, change of network settings, distribution to other terminal devices, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing operations related to the distribution of the HDD integrated optical disk device 10, and FIG. 3 is a continuation of FIG. First, in step S10, the control unit 26 determines whether there is a request for distribution of desired content from the terminal device. In step S10, if there is a distribution request, the process proceeds to step S11, and the control unit 26 determines whether or not the reproduction of the content to be distributed and the recording reservation overlap.

  If it is determined in step S11 that they overlap, the process proceeds to step S12, and a message indicating that the distribution may stop in the middle and an option for whether to start the distribution are output from the communication unit 25 to the terminal device. To do. Thereby, even if the distribution is started and the distribution is stopped due to the start of recording during the distribution, the user of the terminal device is not confused.

  For example, an OSD screen 40 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. On the OSD screen 40, a message “There is a possibility that the distribution may stop in the middle because it overlaps with the scheduled recording time. Do you want to start the distribution?” Is displayed and “Yes” or “No” is selected and decided Displayed as possible. The user can press the enter key while placing the cursor on “Yes” or “No”.

  If it is determined in step S11 that they do not overlap, the process proceeds to step S13 and distribution is started. Further, when the option to start distribution is selected in step S12, that is, when “Yes” is selected on the OSD screen 40, the process proceeds to step S13 to start distribution.

  On the other hand, if the option not to start distribution is selected in step S12, that is, if “No” is selected on the OSD screen 40, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the communication unit 25 outputs a message indicating whether or not to receive a message indicating that the distribution is possible when the recording is finished, and the options to the terminal device.

  For example, an OSD screen 50 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. On the OSD screen 50, a message “Do you want to be notified when recording ends?” Is displayed, and “Yes” or “No” is displayed so as to be selectable. The user can press the enter key while placing the cursor on “Yes” or “No”.

  If the option for receiving a message is selected in step S14, that is, if "Yes" is selected on the OSD screen 50, the process proceeds to step S15, and the control unit 26 outputs a message to the terminal device when recording ends. Remember. Then, a message is output to the terminal device at the end of recording.

  From step S13, the process proceeds to step S16, where it is determined whether or not an instruction to start an operation that cannot be executed during distribution has been issued. This instruction is generated when the user operates the remote controller and selects execution of an operation that cannot be performed during desired distribution. If there is no instruction in step S16, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, it is determined whether or not the content is finished. If the content is finished, the process proceeds to step S23 to end the distribution. On the other hand, if the content is not finished, the process returns to step S16.

  On the other hand, if there is an instruction in step S16, the process proceeds to step S17 to determine whether the terminal device priority is set or the HDD integrated optical disk device priority is set. The control unit 26 accepts whether to set the terminal device priority or the HDD integrated optical disk device priority before distribution on the menu screen or the like. That is, the user can always switch between the terminal device priority and the HDD integrated optical disk device priority from the menu screen. Thereby, since it is not necessary to perform those settings during distribution, it is convenient.

  If the terminal device priority is set in step S17, the process proceeds to step S18, and a message requesting permission to stop distribution is output to the display device 11. This message may include an option to change the setting to prioritize the HDD integrated optical disk device. With this option for changing the setting, the priority can be switched to the HDD-integrated optical disc apparatus when the message is output, and this message can be prevented from being output in the future.

  For example, an OSD screen 60 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The OSD screen 60 displays a message “This operation will stop the distribution of content. Are you sure?” And “Yes”, “No” or “Yes, I will not confirm in the future.” Is displayed so that selection can be made. The option “Yes, I will not confirm in the future” is an option to change the setting to give priority to the HDD integrated optical disk device. The user can press the enter key while placing the cursor on "Yes", "No" or "Yes, I will not confirm in the future."

  If the distribution stop is permitted in step S18, that is, if “Yes” or “Yes, I will not confirm in the future” is selected on the OSD screen 60, the process proceeds to step S19 to stop the distribution to the terminal device. Output a message. This message should disappear automatically after a few seconds. Thereby, it is possible to notify the user on the terminal device side that the distribution is stopped, and when the distribution is stopped, the user knows that the device is not malfunctioning. For example, an OSD screen 70 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the terminal device. On the OSD screen 70, a message “Delivery will be stopped due to operational restrictions on the delivery side” is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds from step S19 to step S20, and the HDD-integrated optical disk apparatus stops the distribution.

  On the other hand, if the distribution stop is not permitted in step S18, that is, if “No” is selected on the OSD screen 60, the process proceeds to step S21 so that the operation instruction received in step S16 is not executed and the distribution is continued. . From step S21, the process proceeds to step S22 to determine whether or not the content is finished. If the content is finished, the process proceeds to step S23 to end the distribution. On the other hand, if the content is not finished, the process returns to step S16. .

  On the other hand, if the HDD-integrated optical disc apparatus is set to be prioritized in step S17, the process proceeds from step S17 to step S19, and then proceeds to step S20. As described above, when priority is given to the HDD-integrated optical disk device, the distribution is stopped without outputting a message requesting permission to stop the distribution to the display device 11. Therefore, the user who is viewing the display device 11 does not notice that the distribution is stopped, does not know the situation on the side where the distribution is being performed, and does not hesitate to determine whether the distribution can be stopped. Is good.

  From step S20, the process proceeds to step S24 to determine whether or not an operation that cannot be performed during distribution is completed. When the operation being executed is completed, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S25 to prompt the terminal device to select whether to resume distribution from the continuation of the previously stopped content or to restart distribution from the beginning of the previously stopped content. As a result, the user on the terminal device side does not need to check whether the distribution is possible one by one, which is convenient.

  For example, an OSD screen 80 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. On the OSD screen 80, a message “Operation restriction on the delivery side has been lifted. Where do you want to resume delivery?” Is displayed, and “Play from the beginning” or “Play from the beginning” can be selected. Is displayed. The user can press the enter key with the cursor placed on “play from continuation” or “play from the beginning”.

  If it is selected in step S25 that the distribution is resumed from the continuation of the previously stopped content, that is, if “play from continuation” is selected on the OSD screen 80, the process proceeds to step S26 and the distribution is resumed from the continuation of the content. To do.

  On the other hand, when it is selected in step S25 that the distribution is resumed from the beginning of the previously stopped content, that is, when “play from the beginning” is selected on the OSD screen 80, the process proceeds to step S27 and the content is distributed from the beginning. To resume. From step S26 and step S27, the process returns to step S16.

  Note that step S25 may be omitted, and after the operation that cannot be performed during distribution ends, the process may proceed directly from step S24 to step S26 or step S27. Whether the process proceeds to step S26 or step S27 may be set in advance on the menu screen or the like.

  In the above embodiment, steps S11, S12, S14, S15, S19, S24, S25, S26, and S27 are not essential. Which steps are omitted can be appropriately combined within a possible range. Further, if step S18 is omitted and the terminal device priority is set, the process may proceed directly from step S17 to step S21.

  In the HDD-integrated optical disc apparatus 10 described above, the storage unit (HDD recording / playback unit 18, BD / DVD recording / playback unit 19) that stores at least content is separated as an external device, so that the HDD-integrated optical disc device is provided. 10 can be a playback device.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 9 shows a modification of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. In this flowchart, between step S10 in FIG. 2 (S30 in FIG. 3) and step S11 (S32 in FIG. 3), it is determined whether or not an operation that cannot perform distribution is being performed as step S31. The operation that cannot be distributed includes an operation with a high processing load and a setting change of various functions. Specifically, optical disc playback, dubbing, editing, recording, external device playback, network setting change, and the like can be mentioned.

  If an operation that cannot be distributed is being executed in step S31, the process proceeds to step S35, and a message indicating whether or not to receive a message indicating that the distribution is possible when the operation (optical disc reproduction or the like) is completed; The options are output from the communication unit 25 to the terminal device.

  When the option to receive a message is selected in step S35, the process proceeds to step S36, and the control unit 26 stores the message so as to be output to the terminal device when the operation is completed. When the above operation ends, a message is output to the terminal device.

  On the other hand, when the operation which cannot perform distribution is not performed by step S31, it progresses to step S32 and it is determined whether the content to distribute and recording reservation overlap like step S11 of FIG. The subsequent processing is the same as the processing in FIG.

<Third Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 10, the HDD-integrated optical disk device 10 may be connected to a plurality of terminal devices (terminal devices A, B, and C in the example of FIG. 10) via a network 12.

  In this case, the HDD integrated optical disc apparatus 10 may be set with a common priority setting for a plurality of terminal devices. That is, in the example of FIG. 10, even if the distribution to any of the terminal devices A, B, and C is being executed, if the terminal device priority is set in step S17 of FIG. If a message requesting permission to stop distribution is output to the apparatus 11 and priority is given to the HDD integrated optical disk apparatus, distribution is stopped without outputting the message to the display apparatus 11.

  Alternatively, priority setting may be performed for each of a plurality of terminal devices. That is, in the example of FIG. 10, for example, the terminal unit A and C are set to the HDD integrated optical disk device priority, and the terminal device B is set to the terminal device priority. Then, in step S17 of FIG. 3, the priority setting may be determined according to the partner terminal device that is currently delivering.

10 HDD integrated optical disk device (content distribution device)
12 Network 21 Video Output Unit 22 Audio Output Unit 25 Communication Unit 26 Control Unit

Claims (12)

A communication unit that distributes content to a terminal device via a network;
When starting an operation that cannot be performed during distribution during distribution, whether to output a message requesting permission to stop distribution or to stop distribution without outputting the message is switched according to the set priority information And a control unit that controls the content distribution apparatus.   The priority information can set whether to prioritize a terminal device or a content distribution device, and the control unit performs the switching according to whether the terminal device has priority or the content distribution device priority. 1. The content distribution device according to 1.   3. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation that cannot be executed during the distribution includes at least one of an operation of a high processing load and a function setting change.   4. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the high processing load operation includes at least one of an optical disc reproduction operation, a dubbing operation, an editing operation, and a recording operation.   The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives the setting of the priority information before distribution.   The content delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the message includes an option for changing the setting of the priority information.   The control unit performs control to output a message to stop distribution to the terminal device after being permitted in the message and before stopping distribution. The content distribution device according to any one of the above.   The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that distribution is resumed after an operation that cannot be performed during the distribution ends.   9. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the distribution is resumed from the continuation of the content stopped last time.   After the operation that cannot be performed during the distribution ends, the control unit selects whether to resume the distribution from the continuation of the previously stopped content or to restart the distribution from the beginning of the previously stopped content. 10. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 8, wherein control is performed so as to prompt the user. It has a content recording function,
The control unit includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the reproduction of the content to be distributed and the reserved recording overlap when starting the distribution, and when the determination unit determines that they overlap, the distribution to the terminal device is in progress The content delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content delivery apparatus is controlled to output a message indicating that there is a possibility of being stopped. Distributing content to a terminal device via a network;
When starting an operation that cannot be performed during distribution during distribution, whether to output a message requesting permission to stop distribution or to stop distribution without outputting the message is switched according to the set priority information And a step of controlling the content distribution method.

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